C.A. QUINTET - Live Trips 1971

C.A. Quintets 1969 album Trip Thru Hell is one of the holy grails of late 60s heavy psych rock and certainly deserves to be rated this way by fans of heavy rock. What awaits you here was recorded live, two years after their cult debut. The record starts with an unusual Beatles cover And Your Bird Can Sing", originally from Revolver (1966). You do not even realize it is that song until you hear a familiar passage. The C.A. Quintet turned it into a groovy, smoking hot, organ-driven power rocker with a melodic edge. With the second cover tune "Badge", originally performed by Cream, they stay closer to the original, but play it with an increased power level. Next is "Bayou Jam", a lengthy, heavy rock song with psychedelic organ sounds reminiscent of Iron Butterfly. If you cross them with Blue Cheer in their prime gives you a better idea. There is even a killer drum solo section in the middle of the song. "4am In New York" is another mid-paced, stomping heavy groover with a pounding approach, simmering guitars, and roaring organs backing up the furiously distorted guitar. The vocals on the other hand have this light-weight, west coast, flower power pop appeal. "Wild Child" is a sleazy acid blues rocker and takes you a few years back. It is obvious they loved bands like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Mountain. "Country Boy" has a southern rock flavor -- a well-written power rock tune with some psychedelic elements. The colorful, jammy middle section and the hard-driving bass and guitar interplay make this a kick ass anthem for its time. And last but not least is "Fresh Garbage Jam". More than ten minutes in length, this is heavy and fuzzed-out psychedelic jam rock at its best with furious guitars and a relaxed atmosphere. The sound is great, as clear as it can be, powerful and vivid, better than some of the studio recordings back then. What more do you want? If you love the underground side of US hard rock, like Josefus, Fresh Blueberry Pancake, and Stonewall, than this is the thing for you." - Merlins Nose.